Spiritual warfare

Don’t scramble to fight
against flesh and blood,
sword aimed at a throat
you see as no good.
Don’t use your shield
as a battering ram,
no lashing out at
what you can.
Your helmet, not to ram
them in the eyes,
don’t seek to wound them,
to elicit cries.
Your belt not used
to beat them down,
your breastplate not used to
smash to the ground.
Don’t use your shoes to
kick them hard-
still for the unseen,
be on your guard.

(Ephesians 6:12-18, NIV- For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for the Lord’s people.)